Touristic Sites in Korea

Touristic Sites in Korea

KAIST life can be stressing, not much time to enjoy the amazing place you’re in, South Korea! If you get some time during the vacations and want to go somewhere awesome, here I summarize some places for you. You are in Daejeon which is a touristic city itself, plus it’s close to any city in Korea! So in 1 to 3 hours you should be able to reach all the good places in Korea.

10 touristic sites in Korea (from travel.cnn.com) (they are in no particular order as it’s subjective):

1. Seongsan Sunrise Peak (성산일출봉):
Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater 5,000 years ago on Jeju Island.
A UNESCO world heritage site, the peak is famous for many things, including numerous rare plant species, but is best known for the magnificent sight of the sun rising over it (hence the name).
The climb up the peak’s northwest side ridge (its other sides are steep cliffs) to the 180-meter highest point takes 30 minutes.
Jeju Island is a very famous touristic site, if you wanna visit it this will help:http://travel.cnn.com/…/v…/how-visit-jeju-island-dime-169244

2. Ggotji Beach (꽃지 해수욕장):
Located four kilometers southwest from Anmyeon-eup, this cream-colored beach is the ideal place to go for a drive and watch the sun sink into the ocean between two large rock formations known as the Granny Rock and the Grandpa Rock.
Legend has it that the wife of a base commanding officer in the Shilla Dynasty became the Granny Rock when she died after waiting faithfully for her husband.

3. Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae (진해 경화역):
You should just see photos of this place!
This small whistle-stop bustles with tourists and amateur photographers every spring.
Cherry blossoms rain down on the train track and countless shutters click madly away as the train approaches the station under the cherry blossom tunnel.

4. Uleung Island Seaside Road (울릉도 해안도로):
Uleung Island, nicknamed “Mysterious Island”, is a popular weekend getaway spot for Seoulites.
Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Road.
Anyone planning to walk or bike their way around Uleung Island should make sure they set aside enough time, as they will inevitably stop countless times to admire the glorious view.

5. Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon (합천 해인사):
The world’s oldest intact Buddhist canon, the Tripitaka Koreana, is carefully housed in the 1,200-year-old Haeinsa Temple.
The temple’s other landmarks include the oldest wooden Buddha statue in Korea (the Haeinsa Vairocana) and a UNESCO world heritage Janggyeong Panjeon ( a “storage hall of Buddhist Sutras”).

6. Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon (순천 낙안읍성 민속마을):
Straw-roofed houses, government offices, guesthouses and a castle, all from the Chosun Dynasty, remain perfectly preserved in their original forms in this 22.6 kilometer-squared historical site.
No, it’s not an exterior set of a historical drama, people actually live in those houses and better yet, they offer overnight homestays.

7. Bulguksa Temple (경주 불국사):
This UNESCO-listed site is perhaps the most famous historic site in Korea.
Two granite pagodas on either sides of the temple, Dabotap and Seokgatap, as well as Seokguram, a man-made grotto just above the temple, add to the splendid grandeur of this 1,500-year-old home of many important relics.

8. Cheongdo Bull Fighting Festival (청도 소싸움 축제):
As the biggest bull fighting festival in Korea, Cheongdo Bull Fighting Festival attracts around half a million people every year.
In addition to the big matches of 130 fighting bulls, there are art contests, cow-play exorcisms, rodeo experience, and even magic shows to entertain the crowd.
If the sights are a bit too violent for your taste, check out other Cheongdo attractions such as the Nakdae Waterfall and Unmun Temple.

9. Kwanghan Pavilion (광한루):
Kwanghan Pavilion is the setting of Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea’s most famous folk tales. Chunhyang, the young, beautiful daughter of a gisaeng (Korean geisha), and Mongryong, the handsome son of the local governor, first met and fell in love in this beautifully designed pavilion, which was designated a treasure in 1963.

10. Anapji (Anap Pond) (경주 안압지):
This man-made pond was created during the Shilla Dynasty approximately 1,500 years ago.
Three buildings stand on three artificial islands while patches of lotus flowers frame the pond.
Gorgeous exterior lighting that go on after sunset create a magical night view.

Since you are in Daejeon, here are the best places to spend the weekend in:

1. Hanbat Arboretum:
Lovely park to walk, cycle or picnic. The place has different trees and gardens that suitable for all seasons.

2. Eunhaengdong Euneungjeongi Culture Street:
Euneungjeongi Culture Street in Eunhaeng-dong in downtown Daejeon is the fashion epicenter of Daejeon and is comparable to the famed Myeongdong shopping district in Seoul.

3. Daejeon Expo Science Park (대전 엑스포):
Expo Park is the country’s only theme park promoting the latest sciences and technology in a learning facility that aims to raise public awareness in society, and was established following the closing of the Daejeon Expo in 1993

The park features several themed pavilions for visitors to choose from, including: the world’s largest I-Max theater, a 3D theater, an I-Max dome theater, a Simulation Theater, Body World, the Electric Energy Pavilion, the Energy Pavilion, the Nature and Life Pavilion, the North Korea Pavilion, and the Tower of Great Light.

4. Currency Museum of Korea (화폐박물관):
The Currency Museum of Korea is the first museum in Korea to be dedicated solely to modern and ancient currencies. The museum (est. 1988) is operated by the Mint Corporation of Korea as part of its non-profit public services and is open to visitors free of charge with a view of increasing public knowledge of the nation’s currency. The museum features a total of 120,000 pieces including: coins currently in use both in Korea and overseas; coins from modern times (from the Late Joseon Dynasty until today); 80 types of commemorative coins; 88 types of ‘special money’; postage stamps, and other materials.

5. Daejeon History Museum (대전역사박물관):
Daejeon History Museum, comprised of a permanent exhibition hall, donated relics exhibition hall, planned hall, and city promotion hall, was created as a cultural area for citizens according to the Doan new city development project of Daejeon on October 16, 2012.

The permanent exhibition hall presents precious cultural assets in Daejeon with the theme of life and culture of Confucian scholars of Daejeon. The donated relic exhibition hall showcases artifacts donated by residents of Daejeon, and in the planned exhibition hall, a special exhibition is held to offer diverse items to see one or two times a year. In addition, plenty of hands-on programs, lectures, and performances are given in the museum to entertain visitors.

6. Daecheongho Lake Obaengni-gil (대청호오백리길):
Daecheongho Lake is an artificial lake, stretching across Cheongju-si, Okcheon-gun, and Boeun-gun. The lake provides Deajeon City and Cheongju City with drinking water, living water, and industrial water. The reservoir is able to store a water volume of 1.5 billion tons, making the reservoir as the 3rd largest lake in Korea. Surrounded by mountains, the area is a popular driving route and tree-lined roads are full with flowers during spring, and colored by maple leaves during autumn. Upon reaching the top of the observatory, the entire environment of the lake is spectacular and sometimes, you can catch a glance of migratory birds and resident birds during summer season.

7. Sikjang Mountain (식장산):
Mt. Sikjangsan, is the highest and largest mountain in Daejeon. It is 623.3m above sea level and the environment is surrounded by pellucid mountain valleys, condensed forests with varieties of rare plants. As a piece of area in the Secheon Park of Sikjang Mountain was designated as Ecological Preservation Zone, extensive efforts of nature conservation have been implemented to protect the natural ecology of Daejeon city from destruction.

8. Yuseong Hot Spring (유성온천):
The Yuseong Hot Spring is located in Yuseong-gu of Deajeon City, is quite well-known for hot springs. Well, there is a reason behind the story. Yuseong Spa was firstly discovered during the Baekje Kingdom, where wounded soldiers recovered after bathing in. These hot springs not only contain an abundant amount of calcium and sodium, but also possess a therapeutic effect that helps maintain healthy skin and alleviate skin irritations. Yuseong Spa is also a popular spot for both youth and elderly people, especially during winter season when they come with their family. Foot bath experience in Yuseong Hot Spring will definitely reduce your tiredness and improve your skin condition!

9. Dongchundang (동춘당): Daejeon Hoedeok Dongchundang Park:
The residence house of the Daejeon Hoedeok Dongchundang Park was built by Jungil Song, the father of Dongchundang who was an acknowledged politician from the Joseon Dynasty. ‘Dongchun’ means ‘lively spring’. The house was assigned as the National Cultural Treasure number 209 and the structure has some similarities with the buildings of the late Joseon Dynasty.

10. Dunsan-dong (둔산동):
Although Daejeon is not as populated as Seoul, Daejeon also has an exotic nightlife. In Dunsan-dong, you can find a lot of places to meet new friends or hangout with your closest buddies. It is also a hot spot where people gather after finishing their work on Friday to release their stress! Recommended clubs or lounges in Daejeon are Bubi Bubi, a Western-style dance club; Sponge, local clubbers’ favorite; Yellow Taxi, relaxing and international lounge. Don’t forget to order a drink along with Anju (bar snacks) to get along with locals!

Who said that you can only drink and have fun in Hongdae, Seoul?

If you are still unsatisfied, go online and search for places! Just like I did to write this. If you come all the way to Korea, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and barely leave KAIST, then it’s your loss!

Disclaimer: This article was submitted by Mr. Osama Karkout for Write for KISA programme. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of KAIST International Students Association (KISA). For more details visit the Write for KISA page.